Buying Advice Priorities?

[FlawlessFarms]

Hoping to find some good advice here. Looking to buy a used compact (or somewhat larger) tractor, with the ideal being something around 1,500 + pounds bare weight, 20+ HP, 4WD, and a front loader. After doing quite a bit of looking online, it seems unlikely I値l find all that for my budget of $6-7K. I know I値l need to compromise on something, but not sure what. FEL is a must have, but what are your thoughts about either a subcompact with 4WD, vs. a larger, heavier, 2WD tractor? Lots of older 2WD units out there to be had.

Tractor will be used on 17 acres, about 2/3 wooded, relatively flat terrain. Primary needs are bush hogging, snow removal, clearing vegetation, and lifting/dragging downed trees. Located in southern Michigan.

Thanks!

 

[CMV]

Used to do what on those 17 acres2/3 wooded? Big difference between need to move round bales from a trailer to just run a bush hog

 

[FlawlessFarms]

Updated my original question with thise details. Thank you!

 

[kthompson]

No idea how on line your are searching in but craiglist and ebay have crooks on them offering great deals. NOT ALL ads are crooks but be careful with any purchase but I would not buy if could not put my hands on it. If you are using the big tractor sites they can be good. Prices are not firm most of the time but again unless I can see the tractor would pass on it.

Now can you find what you are asking for, maybe but not easy. For fel loader 4 wheel is nice but not a must. Will demand good rear ballast for traction for 2 wheel drive. Four wheel drive is really good in certain soil conditions such as very sandy or wet and slopes. Are you sure of the need for the fel? Is there another option for you at lower price? If you do not have to lift for such as loading dirt could you use a rear "scoop"? Should be lot lower price.

For 17 acres the size tractor you are looking for with fel ... what are you wanting to do? There are some good solid old (over 30) tractors out there that have lots of life in them. If you don't know tractors find a friend who does or even hire mechanic who works on them to look at it before buying.

 

[oosik]

Flawlessfarms - you just might find what you seek. You are NE of the Mississippi R. Out here where I am - NE WA state - it's akin to looking for a large glacier in the Atacama dessert.

For over ten years I looked for a larger used utility tractor. It doesn't exist out here. I gave up and in 2009 I bought a new Kubota M6040. It's the same here for any used implements.

I swear - - the word out here is: "if you must sell, take it East of the Mississippi, first".

 

[jeff9366]

FEL is a must, but what are your thoughts about either a subcompact with 4WD, vs. a larger, heavier, 2WD tractor? Lots of older 2WD units out there to be had.

Tractor will be used on 17 acres, about 2/3 wooded, relatively flat terrain.

Primary needs are bush hogging, snow removal, clearing vegetation, and lifting/dragging downed trees. Located in southern Michigan.

Subcompact tractors have only 7" to 9" ground clearance. Not enough ground clearance to work in woods.

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers.
Heavier tractors are built with thicker steel to withstand greater stress. Heavier tractors have larger diameter wheels/tires, increasing ground clearance. Heavier tractors with large diameter wheels/tires have more tractive power pulling ground contact implements, pushing a loader bucket into dirt and pushing snow. Larger wheels and tires permit heavier tractors to bridge holes, ruts and tree debris with less operator perturbation.

Subcompact tractors only have two-range HST transmissions. You need a three-range HST or a gear transmission for a low range/low gear transmitting enough power to pull logs.

VIDEO: Kubota BX Series VS. B Series - YouTube

I recommend a heavier tractor vs. a subcompact tractor.

If you add your LOCATION to your T-B-N PROFILE, so it shows in every post you author, a member in Michigan may inform you of a quality used tractor for sale reasonably near. This happens regularly.

Used tractor prices are lowest when snow is on the ground. This is a good season to shop.



Here are tractors for sale on eBay within 500 miles of Battle Creek, Michigan:

TRACTOR in Business and Industrial Supplies | eBay

 

[Diggin It]

Your location isn't relevant.

I'm not sure 25HP is really enough for 17 acres. I'm not sure 4WD is necessary for mostly flat ground.

How mechanically inclined are you? What kinds of tools or shop do you have? Older machines are more likely to need service and repairs more often. Are you able to handle that?

Use extreme caution with shopping anywhere on the web for this kind of thing. Many have done it without problems, but there can be trouble. Check out more local ad services if possible Also check local AG/farm equipment auction houses.

 

[FlawlessFarms]

Great points, and kind of what I知 trying to determine; which is greater value, 4WD in a smaller lighter tractor, or extra size and weight, but only 2WD? Hadn稚 considered ground clearance factors, though. Thanks!

 

[Oldoak]

That's a tough decision to make within your price constraint. I would think which ever tractor you find first in good mechanical condition and in your price range. I have done a lot years ago with two different 2-wheel drive tractors, both using chains on the rear tires at times. (a 35 HP IH 354 and a 55 HP J.D. 2350). However once I switch to a 4-wheel drive tractor I never looked back. (Kubota L4200 and currently an L5060)

In your case, even with 4WD, I would consider a 24 HP as a bare minimum and definitely more if you choose hydrostatic drive. Of course that's jusant my thinking.

 

[CMV]

Just scanned my local CL and really nothing. Hopefully your area has better asking prices on used machines. Nothing there - any size - under $10k that would meet your needs except a 1980s off brand which would carry a lot of risk of ever fixing what breaks...

$6-$7k is going to be a very limiting factor, unless your used market is pretty soft. I think that will be the expectation that needs reset. Most of the smaller machines you won't even find a 2WD variant. The subcompacts need 4wd because the rears are going to break traction - add a bucketful of something out front and the rears are real likely to break traction. Just the corner of a bush hog catching a high dirt spot would have me spinning rears at times on the 25HP machine I had & it wasn't the smallest. So unless you're wanting a larger older tractor, probably retrofitted with an aftermarket loader, crossing 2WD off the list doesn't really do much for you.

The little subcompacts are neat. They can do a lot. But reality there is just some stuff you're not gonna get done (in a reasonable amount of time, or physically incapable). Kubota BX 2380, JD 1025, MF GC1715, LS MT1, etc - everyone makes one. So they are "real tractors" - not just a glorified lawn mower. But you still have to have reasonable expectations of what the limitations are and realize they will work above their limitations, but will break doing so. But even at that, at least around here, you're looking at $9kish for a decent used one. Any less is a scam or something really broken.

From there, prices just go up, unless age, condition, bazillion hours, etc warrants a smaller price.

So.....what options that leave you? If that $6-7k is stuffed under your mattress, hit up the auctions, especially estate auctions. Otherwise, spread the word if you're in no rush. Friends, family, co-workers, church members - someone you know knows someone that has a tractor they'd consider selling. Might find an older machine in good shape and with a loader that way. I woudn't want a tractor without a loader. Primary reason I even have it is to be a dirt-mover. However, the tasks you listed can all be done w/o a loader. Boom pole & carry-all can do some of what a loader can, maybe just not as convenient. Heck, think of how much you could really do with an 8N in good shape and large assortment of implements....

From the limited info we have on your needs & situation....to me I'd think something similar to a Kubota L3301 would be about the smallest you'd want. Maybe get by with smaller, but around there is where it's really starting to meet your needs in capability. So that means you're looking for something along the lines of an older Kubota L2650 or thereabout....

 

[Tractorable]

The John Deere 750/790/850 series tractors are affordable Yanmar's painted green that are bulletproof. You may be able to find a decent deal close to your budget on a machine with 4WD and a loader.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...-than-40-hp/manufacturer/john-deere/model/790

 

[Atchuuu]

I have a similar situation but without the snow so I can't speak to whether or not you must have the 4wd in snow. For me, I am glad I went larger and not subcompact. It was my first tractor purchase but I knew right away I would not have been happy with the subcompact. I would take an older, heavier, tractor over newer lightweight for my use.

Check Facebook marketplace. Our local area has very limited selection on CL but a fair amount on FB.

 

[Atchuuu]

Subcompact tractors have only 7" to 9" ground clearance. Not enough ground clearance to work in woods.

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers.
Heavier tractors are built with thicker steel to withstand greater stress. Heavier tractors have larger diameter wheels/tires, increasing ground clearance. Heavier tractors with large diameter wheels/tires have more tractive power pulling ground contact implements, pushing a loader bucket into dirt and pushing snow. Larger wheels and tires permit heavier tractors to bridge holes, ruts and tree debris with less operator perturbation.

Subcompact tractors only have two-range HST transmissions. You need a three-range HST or a gear transmission for a low range/low gear transmitting enough power to pull logs.

VIDEO: Kubota BX Series VS. B Series - YouTube

I recommend a heavier tractor vs. a subcompact tractor.

If you add your LOCATION to your T-B-N PROFILE, so it shows in every post you author, a member in Michigan may inform you of a quality used tractor for sale reasonably near. This happens regularly.

I'm glad I took Jeff's advice and went with a larger, heavier, tractor then I originally planned but we don't agree on adding location to the profile.

 

[shooterdon]

I waited 6 years before getting my 1998 JD 855. I paid $3500 for it with a lot of attachments but it was in rough shape. Spent another $2000+ on repairs. Like you, I could not afford a newer or better tractor.

The used machines I found, that were in decent condition, were close to the price of a new tractor and I gave up my dream for a while.

In hindsight, I wish I had purchased a new machine with the low interest financing many brands offer. Tractors do not depreciate much and sell quickly so there is little risk. And I could have enjoyed using it the last six years.

If you are patient, you will find something but budget for repairs. A 2WD machine will work but you may need chains for snow and pulling trees trunks. 4WD is much preferred and almost a must with tHe FEL.

Again, if you will be using the tractor regularly, and you can afford the payments, financing gets you a machine immediately and you have fewer compromises, a warranty, and reliability. If it is mostly a toy, shop around.

 

[rScotty]

The John Deere 750/790/850 series tractors are affordable Yanmar's painted green that are bulletproof. You may be able to find a decent deal close to your budget on a machine with 4WD and a loader.

Also don't overlook the Yanmar YMxxx series tractors painted red that were imported into the USA while Yanmar still had dealers here - mostly in the 1980s. That era was over by 1991.

Those particlur JD models you mention from 650 to 1050 were actually made 100% by Yanmar. The JDs were a combination of the the red 1980s vintage YM Yanmar engine & frame with the older green YM Yanmar transmissions..... i.e. without the powershift tranny but including PS and better filters etc... But the powershift turned out to be bulletproof as well, so the red USA YM series Yanmars are just as good as the older green ones. Simple, bulletproof, easy to work on, ample parts available.

I think you should be able to find what you are looking fo - i.e. a perfectly decent medium size tractor with PS, 3pt, and loader in the 5000 to 7000 dollar range. It might be 2wd, because 2wd vs 4wd is where the biggest "price vs features" break occurs. It may well be an older US make. Yes, 4wd is preferable, but on anything medium size and up, 2WD has tremendous traction, will do lots of work, and your money will buy a better machine. So I'd advise that is where to compromise.....maybe because we did exactly that to get started..... .

BTW, if you have a loader, you MUST HAVE POWER STEERING for what you want to do. Most of those older tractors were front-end heavy to start with, and a loader with a full bucket makes them just too difficult of a beast without power steering. Other than that I'd look for any model that has been decently maintained - or at least not abused. A good 3pt hitch, comfortable seat, lots of gears, and starts easy in cold weather are all clues to a good machine.

You may have the best luck posting a notice on the bulletin board at the local feed and seed ag store or reading the advs in the local farm newspaper. I'd start by driving to a local rural area - I had to go 100 miles - and then walking into the local feed and seed store and asking where to look for a good used tractor for what I wanted. Then go get lunch where the farmers eat. I did that once and by the time I left I had several leads and a couple of invites.
good luck, rScotty

 

[Turbys_1700]

Patience is your friend. Gonna be tough to find what you want for that budget but it can be done. Around here every once in a while you can find an older New Holland/Ford in the 10 series with FEL for 7K-10K. Smaller compacts are typically newer and harder to come by. Condition, history of ownership, and maintenance will be your guide. Not really any great deals out there. The market is the market. Good to great deals don't last. Give Tractor House a look see to get a feel for the market asking prices in your area. It is a good guide.

 

[Jchonline]

Patience is your friend. Gonna be tough to find what you want for that budget but it can be done. Around here every once in a while you can find an older New Holland/Ford in the 10 series with FEL for 7K-10K. Smaller compacts are typically newer and harder to come by. Condition, history of ownership, and maintenance will be your guide. Not really any great deals out there. The market is the market. Good to great deals don't last. Give Tractor House a look see to get a feel for the market asking prices in your area. It is a good guide.

I agree you are going to have to be patient and persistent. Check local dealers, newspapers, classifieds, estate sales, auctions, CL, tractor house daily. It may take 6 months, but you should run across a suitable used machine. Patience and persistence are key.

 

[Atchuuu]

I agree you are going to have to be patient and persistent. Check local dealers, newspapers, classifieds, estate sales, auctions, CL, tractor house daily. It may take 6 months, but you should run across a suitable used machine. Patience and persistence are key.

Don't forget Facebook. It is the new Craigslist for shopping

 

[TimberHole]

I had a JD 950 2WD that would do everything you listed. The tractors are worth about 5K give or take and a FEL will add about 3K. Add another 2K for 4WD and power steering. They are a simple geared tractor. Buy a tractor configured the way you need it. It’s not very practical to add loaders and such as good loaders are hard to come by.

 

[PILOON]

If a FEL is on your list be sure to buy only a tractor that already is equipped with it.
Adding later will be as costly as the original tractor price plus labor to install.